• Smart House

This is a miniaturized model of a smart home operating on conventional AC power supply. It features relay-based operation, which can be managed using a central controller connected to a PC. Each smart house is equipped with a multifunction touch screen panel meter that measures electrical parameters of the connected load and displays current and voltage waveforms. All data can be viewed using the provided software via RS485 protocol.

Renewable Energy Training & Management System

The Renewable Energy Training and Management System (RETMS) is designed to utilize two of the most prominent renewable energy sources: wind energy and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This system focuses on providing comprehensive learning experiences related to the various methods of electricity production using renewable energy resources. Renewable energy systems can be categorized into three distinct types:

1. Standalone Systems: These systems generate electricity independently of the grid and require battery storage to store energy.

2. Grid-Connected Systems: These systems are linked with the utility grid, allowing the transfer of excess energy to the grid or drawing energy from the grid when needed, eliminating the need for storage devices.

3. Hybrid Systems: These systems combine features of both standalone and grid-connected systems. They function as standalone systems when the utility grid is unavailable and as grid-connected systems when the grid is accessible, requiring battery storage.

The RETMS allows users to control the power flow from energy produced by any of the aforementioned methodologies. The system is subdivided into the following units:

a) Power Generation Unit (Renewable Energy Sources)

This unit includes both a wind turbine and a solar PV array. These components are the primary sources of renewable electricity in the system.

Fig.2-Solar PV array

Fig.1- Wind Turbine

b) Weather Station

The weather station is equipped with a variety of sensors:

• Pyranometer: Measures solar irradiation.

• Humidity & Temperature Sensor: Measures ambient humidity and temperature.

• Anemometer: a device that measures wind speed and direction, as well as wind pressure and gust strength.

This station provides accurate ambient weather data for the installation location. Users can program upper and lower limits for weather data to ensure the safety of renewable sources and power control units..

Fig.4-Hygrometer

Fig.3-Pyranometer

Fig.7-Central Control Unit

Fig.6-Weather Station

c) Central Control Unit

The central control unit allows users to operate the system in standalone, grid-connected, or hybrid modes. It provides the ability to evaluate the efficiency of each system configuration for a specific location. Users can connect or disconnect power evacuation modes and control the system's overall functionality. The control unit comes with software that facilitates manual or remote control, according to user preference.

Fig.5-Anemometer

Fig.8-Smart House

RETMS Lab Setup Images:

• Load Analysis Kit

This kit consists of an AC load setup with series and parallel load connections that can be integrated with the smart house. It includes an EMI filter PCB to observe the power quality of the load with and without the filter. Power quality measurements are conducted using the smart house.

d) Load Unit

The load unit includes several components designed to simulate real-world applications and to analyze power usage:

Summary

The RETMS system provides an educational platform for understanding and managing renewable energy production through wind and solar PV sources. By offering standalone, grid-connected, and hybrid system configurations, users can explore the most efficient methods for their specific needs. The system's comprehensive units, including power generation, weather monitoring, central control, and load analysis, ensure a thorough learning experience in renewable energy systems.

• Control and Automation Unit

This unit demonstrates relay operation and its control through an Arduino Uno. The Arduino Uno controls the relay when it senses a voltage greater than 2V. A LEM voltage sensor is used to step down the voltage from 220V to 4V, and a regulator controls the AC voltage.

Fig.9- Load Analysis kit

Fig.10- Control & Automation kit

Technical Characteristics:

• Dual Mode Operation: Supports both manual and automated modes of operation.

• Open-Source Software: User software is open-source and editable, providing flexibility for customization.

• Versatile Energy Sources: Solar PV and wind turbine can be used individually or together.

• Automated Switching: Utilizes relays and contactors for seamless switching between different power sources and power evacuation systems.

• Active Measurement: Equipped with an active measurement panel for voltage, current, and power analysis.

• Graphical Interface: Features a colored touchscreen-based graphical interface for measurement panels with RS-485 communication.

• Grid Compatibility: Can operate with both actual and virtual grids.

• Customizable Design: The system design is fully customizable to meet specific requirements.

• Comprehensive Protection: Includes both hardware and software protection for all devices.

• Weather Station Alerts: Alarm system triggers if weather readings exceed set limits.

• Interactive GUI: Editable graphical user interface that works with touchscreen PCs.

• Sun Tracking: Includes an option for sun tracking to optimize solar PV performance.

• Common DC Link: Provides a common DC link for evacuating DC power using DC loads.

• High Wind Protection: Features high wind speed protection for the wind turbine.

• Expandable: More energy sources can be added to the system.

• Detailed Analysis: Offers detailed graphical analysis of loads on PC and measurement panels.

• High IP Rating: Components have a high IP rating for durability and reliability.

• Continuous Datalogging: Supports 24/7 datalogging with high precision.

Technical Advantages:

• Additional Energy Source: The system can serve as an additional energy source for institutions.

• Continuous Operation: Designed to operate continuously without the need for frequent shutdowns.

• Reliable Quality: Built to require minimal after-sales service.

• Comprehensive Manual: Comes with an illustrated experiment manual detailing every wiring connection.

• Customizable Specifications: Specifications can be tailored to specific requirements.

• Training and Demonstration: Detailed demonstration and training provided during system commissioning.

Experiments & Research Options:

• Solar PV Studies: Study of Solar PV P-V and I-V curves, standalone mode, and grid-connected mode.

• Wind Energy Studies: Study of wind energy systems in standalone mode.

• Hybrid Systems: Study of solar and wind hybrid systems with and without battery storage.

• Smart Home Functionality: Study of smart home operations and energy monitoring.

• Remote Access: Remote access and monitoring of smart home and energy systems.

• Load Switching: Study of automatic switching of loads and power sources.

• Load Effects: Analysis of different types of loads in off-grid and on-grid PV systems.

• Non-linear Loads: Study characteristics of linear and non-linear loads with grid-connected systems.

Specifications:

Components and Sub-Components

1. Power Generating Unit:

   • Energy Sources

     • Solar PV Array: 2kW, Polycrystalline, 24V system

     • Wind Turbine: 1kW, 3-blade wind turbine, 24V system

     • Battery Bank: 24V, 120Ah, Lead Acid Batteries

2. Weather Station:

   • Sensors

     • Pyranometer

     • Humidity Sensor

     • Wind Direction and Wind Speed Sensor

     • Rain Gauge

     • Temperature Sensor

3. Power Flow Control Unit:

   • Components

     • PV Charge Controller: 24V, 60A PWM charge controller

     • Wind AC to DC Converter: 10V-60V, 0-40A , 1kW

     • PV Grid-Tied Inverter: 2kW, MPPT Grid-Tied inverter

     • PV Hybrid Inverter: 2kW hybrid inverter

4. Central Control Unit:

   • Sections

     • Solar PV, Solar Charge Controller, Wind Energy, DC Link, Battery Bank, PV Grid-Tied Inverter, Hybrid Inverter, AC Mains, AC Load

   • Switching: Relays and Contactors

   • Measurement: Input and output measurements including PV Voltage, PV Current, PV Charge Controller Voltage and Current, Wind Charge Controller Voltage and Current, PV Grid-Tied Inverter Power Analyzer, PCC Measurement Power Analyzer, AC Load Power Analyzer, Battery Voltage and Current, Hybrid Inverter Power Analyzer

   • Communication: RS-485

   • Interface Controller: Microcontroller/FPGA

   • Protection: MCB/Software

5. Load Unit:

   • Smart House kit: Operates on conventional AC supply with automatic/manual/remote relay-based control and RS-485 communication

   • Control & Automation kit: relay control analysis. Automatic relay control using Arduino when voltage increase beyond specified limits.

   • Load Analysis kit: Works on conventional AC supply, supports AC series circuit analysis and AC parallel circuit analysis. Power quality analysis using EMI/EMC filter.

The RETMS provides a robust and flexible environment for training, experimentation, and research in renewable energy systems. Its comprehensive set of features and customizable components make it an ideal tool for institutions and researchers aiming to advance their understanding and application of renewable energy technologies.